Natural Cold Treatment

Chicken Soup May Be the Answer

Chicken Soup

Having a cold is miserable. No one likes suffering what seems to be a yearly winter ritual as the latest cold bug makes the rounds. Until someone finds a cure from the common cold, we're stuck with stuffy noses and chest-rattling coughs. Fortunately, natural cold treatment is often as effective as over the counter medications, and surprisingly, grandma had it right in a lot of ways.
Natural Ways to Care for a Cold
The age old cold cure, chicken soup isn't that far off the mark. Mom's steamy bowl of warm broth, meat, and vegetables is actually a great way to help reduce the symptoms of a cold. A steaming bowl of soup helps to loosen mucous and clear out nasal passages. The warm liquid soothes an irritated throat and can reduce inflammation. Best of all, the nutrients commonly found in a good chicken soup include antioxidants, protein, and minerals that can help strengthen your body as it fights off a cold virus.
Of course, chicken soup can't really cure a cold. Sadly, there isn't anything yet known to humankind that can do that. However, there are plenty of ways to reduce cold symptoms and make a cold victim more comfortable.
* If congestion is an issue, moist heat is the best treatment. A hot shower or a steaming cup of tea will loosen mucous and ease inflamed bronchial tubes.
* Coughing can be eased with a spoonful of honey. This is a good treatment for young children over 1 year of age that shouldn't take cold medicine.
* Use a cool mist humidifier, especially at night, to ease coughing and congestion.
* Treat a sore throat by gargling with a cup of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in it 2 to 3 times a day.
* Vitamin C can't cure or prevent a cold, but studies show it may shorten the duration of a cold, so try taking a supplement and eating foods high in vitamin C.
In general, your body will combat any sickness more effectively if it is healthy before the infection. Perhaps the best defense against a cold is to eat a wide variety of healthy foods that are mostly plant based. Regular exercise will also result in a strong cardio-vascular system which means a respiratory infection may be less severe. It goes without saying that plenty of hand washing will help prevent colds and protect others if you are infected.
Hydration is essential to combating colds or most other illnesses. Although regular fluid intake is important in general, it can be a vital element in combating a cold. Aim for eight 10 ounce glasses of fluid each day. Water is the best fluid for the body, but juice, sports drinks and herbal tea are also good choices in moderation. Avoid drinks like cola and coffee that are high in caffeine because they will hamper your ability to rest and act as a diuretic that will make you have to go to the bathroom more often and can lead to dehydration. Of course, grandma's chicken soup is not only a great fluid for treating colds, but a great way to lift your spirits too.